Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed he was approached by Sir Alex Ferguson to take over the mantle in 2013 and he has reiterated that he made the right call in having turned down the offer and remained at Borussia Dortmund instead.
Revealing his close friendship with Sir Alex, Klopp said he has never contemplated life at Manchester United despite having been approached to take over from Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013 but wouldn’t entertain breaking his contract at Borussia Dortmund.
However, the German was happy to move to Liverpool in October 2015 after having departed Dortmund the previous summer.
When the question was raised about his decision, Klopp said:
“I never thought how it would have been at Manchester, not once. Not for one second.
“I’m completely fine here, I’m in the right place. That’s all good.
“Even the weather is better in Liverpool than Manchester for some reason!”
The Reds boss joined Ferguson, Kenny Dalglish and England head coach Gareth Southgate at a virtual charity event on Friday evening.
And Klopp spoke on his ongoing association with the former United manager.
“Alex and I, we have contact,” he said. “He texts. Alex changes his phone number quite frequently and I always get a new version. That’s a big honour.
“I get a message saying ‘this is my new number’ and I think ‘wow!’. I haven’t changed my number that often – maybe I should!
Klopp faces his former suitors once again at Anfield on Sunday afternoon with Liverpool gunning for the victory that would move them back above United at the Premier League summit.
“I have a really good relationship with Alex. We are friends when we work together for something good, but on Sunday he wants Manchester United to win and I want Liverpool to win.”